Another Historic Milestone for the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee

This legislation will result in a much broader scope of our autonomy, jurisdiction and self-governance for our Cree First Nations while, at the same time, advances reconciliation between the Cree Nation and the Government of Canada.

The Governance Agreement provides for our Cree First Nations to exercise our powers, at both the local and regional level, through our authority to establish laws rather than by-laws. It also provides our Cree First Nations with the stability and security of clear financial arrangements with Canada in our governance activities. With this predictability, we will be able to plan for the long term with greater certainty.

An important innovation is this Agreement is that our Constitution removes the oversight of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations in respect of our laws and financial administration. We will now become fully responsible and accountable to our own people.

The adoption today by the Senate of Canada of Bill C-70, and following Royal Assent which gives effect to the Cree Nation Governance Agreement and the Cree Constitution, advances Cree self-government, and at the same time, enhances the reconciliation between the Cree Nation and the Government of Canada.